Kesivan Naidoo launches new album at The Orbit

Naidoo, together with his band The Lights, launched his second studio recorded album, The Brotherhood on the last two nights.

Performing to a full-house, Kesivan and The Lights played some of Naidoo’s newly composed music and some pieces from his first album.

“The Orbit is one of the biggest clubs of its kind and it was with great pleasure to have, not only completed a residency with them, but also to have launched my latest album here,” said Naidoo.

In an interview with City Buzz, Naidoo spoke a little about the making of the album.

“The album was released under the band name, Kesivan and The Lights. A band made up of individually strong musicians who also have their own bands – but I composed the music,” he said.

“Through this album, I wanted to consolidate a concept influenced by the combination of African, Indian and classical jazz. I wanted to hone in on the concept of being submerged in the music. I write stories – I am on a constant search for Eutopia and so my music reflects the yearning to go from dark to light.”

Looking back to the beginning of his journey, Naidoo said it was a John Coltrane album that completely changed the way he listened and thought of music.

“When I was 12, a man named Allen Webster gave me Coltrane’s album, The Blue Train. This album changed how I thought of composing music, it introduced me to the concept of spontaneous composition,” he said.

The East London-born drummer who was brought up in a single parent household, said he was fortunate to have recieved the kind of formal musical education that he did. Naidoo has been playing professionally since the age of 15, and has since then piled on the accolades, including having walked away with the 2009 Standard Bank Young Artist Award in the jazz category.

Details: The Orbit 011 339 6645 or info@theorbit.co.za